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McDonald calls on Gilmore to legislate for X Case

Sinn Féin Deputy Leader Mary Lou McDonald TD today called on the Tánaiste to fulfil his election manifesto commitment to introduce legislation in accordance with the Supreme Court judgment in the X Case.

Deputy McDonald said:

“Like so many others I was shocked to hear about the tragic death of Savita Halappanavar. My deepest sympathies are with her husband and family.

“Two internal enquires has been established and there are demands for an independent public inquiry.

“We support the demand for a public enquiry as it is important that the circumstances of this death are established. However there are a number of facts that are crystal clear that we don’t need an inquiry into.

“We don’t need an inquiry to know that the absence of the X Case legislation leaves the medical professional in a legal limbo. This legal limbo means that women’s health and lives are left in jeopardy.

“This grey area in the law is not the responsibility of the catholic church, or the doctors, or the hospitals or the HSE. That responsibility rests with successive governments, including Fianna Fail who despite its long years in office failed to take action.

“We understand Minister Reilly received the report from the expert group on the A, B and C v Ireland case on Tuesday evening. When will this report be published?

“We must be the only country in the world where an issue as urgent as this can be left languishing on a government’s desk for 20 years before being dealt with. This government cannot hide behind reviews or reports. The people have spoken on this issue. The courts have spoken on this issue. Government must now legislate for the X case.” ENDS